Hello from the Northeast

[VWGolfer]

Hey all. I am relatively new to detailing. Last year I spent a couple semesters detailing cars for a higher end car dealership. I learned all there was to learn from the owner of Reflective Image of North Carolina, Josh. We did everything from the two bucket wash method, to leaf blow dry, and two stage paint corrections. I recently purchased a 2011 GTI and had to get a DA. For cost and familiarity purposes, I chose the PC. I am more of a hobby detailer anyway.

I started to correct the paint on my candy white VW and boy is it hard paint! I started with Meguiar`s M105 and a LC orange pad. It was working but took too much time. I now have yellow pads on the way. Hopefully the yellow pads and M105 give me more of what I`m looking for.

After experimenting, I sent it to the body shop to have my door re-painted by the dealer. I made sure they would pay for it before I took delivery of the car. Hopefully, Monday I can get back to the paint correction on the rest of vehicle.

I plan to finish polishing the GTI by next week(105/205), seal it with Blackfire All Finish Paint Proection, apply Collinite 845 by machine on top of the Blackfire. I chose these two products for longevity through the relatively harsh PA winters. I`ll use CG Pink wash for a maintenance wash. I haven`t tried a rinse less product yet but will soon be on the way along with 303 Protectant for interior and engine bay.

Any ideas for a good/long lasting rubber or plastic trim protectant?

[GearHead_1]

Welcome to Autopia!

[RaysWay]

Welcome to Autopia. You should try MF cutting pads or the thin LC Foamed Wool Pads if you need more cut.

[EVOlved]

Welcome to Autopia. You should try MF cutting pads or the thin LC Foamed Wool Pads if you need more cut.

Or the Carpro flash pads.

For the trim Cquartz DLux or WG Exterior Trim Sealant. Tires I like PERL or Pinnacle Black Onyx gel, if you want longer lasting though I`d look into either Tuf Shine or the Turtle Wax (I know people are reporting good results with it though) coatings. Or the new DP coating.

[Angus]

Welcome! What part of PA are you in?

[Pats300zx]

Welcome !!!

[Ronkh]

hi

purple foam wool, as Vega said

[VWGolfer]

Welcome! What part of PA are you in?

This winter, I`m splitting time between Ocean City, NJ and Bethlehem/Allentown area. Summers are spent outside Boston, but my real job is only seasonal. Difficult to be a golf professional in the Northeast year round.


Welcome to Autopia. You should try MF cutting pads or the thin LC Foamed Wool Pads if you need more cut.

Thanks, I will definitely look into those if needed. I`ve never used wool pads, just the foam. And I really didn`t think I`d need them as the paint is in decent condition but it is just such a hard clear coat.


Or the Carpro flash pads.

For the trim Cquartz DLux or WG Exterior Trim Sealant. Tires I like PERL or Pinnacle Black Onyx gel, if you want longer lasting though I`d look into either Tuf Shine or the Turtle Wax (I know people are reporting good results with it though) coatings. Or the new DP coating.

Thanks for the suggestion. I don`t always dress my tires because everything OTC ends up on the car. Now that I`m a little deeper into the game, I`m sure I`ll find something of better quality.

[mjlinane]

Welcome to Autopia!

[HeavenlyV6]

Hey Matt. It`s awesome you`re on Autopia. Welcome. Do you have pictures of this new beauty? I love Collinite. I use it all the time when working up in Ohio during the winter. Good choice.

[fdresq4]

Welcome! Right across the river from you I Jersey!